As a reminder of Butler’s lost season of 2010, Smith put a magnet with Butler’s name back on the board in the third round of the Chargers' draft class of 2011. The gesture was symbolic in more ways than one.

In effect, because he was injured almost before his professional career began, Butler is starting all over again on the practice field. He has the benefit of a year in the Chargers system, privy to the film sessions and game plans and the guidance of veterans, but he’s also coming off almost 11 months in the recovery process.

"I'm back to making plays," Butler said Monday. "I got my confidence back, my swag(ger). I'm more accustomed to the system, the checks, the plays."

Butler is in an interesting place at a particularly interesting time. The Chargers are in a major transitional phase at both linebacker – no longer with the team are defensive captain Stephen Cooper, Kevin Burnett, Antwan Applewhite and Brandon Siler, not to mention Merriman – and special teams. The first-round pick of 2010, Larry English, is likewise on the mend from offseason surgery.

They have a new defensive coordinator in Greg Manusky, which might have something to do with the arrivals of Spikes and fellow linebacker Travis LaBoy, both of whom were coached by Manusky with the 49ers. All the more reason for Butler to pick Spikes’ brain.

“I’m already learning from him,” said Butler. “He’s always interjecting words of wisdom. He’s played both inside linebacker spots in our defense. I’m staying in his back pocket."